Introduction
The article “Put an Egg on It” from The Spruce Eats delves into the transformative power of adding eggs to various dishes. From burgers to ramen, incorporating an egg can enhance flavors, add richness, and increase protein content. This guide explores the different ways to elevate your meals with the simple addition of an egg.
Burgers
Egg Type: Fried (sunny-side up or over-easy)
Description: Top your burger with a fried egg to add richness. Complement with toppings like gouda cheese, tomatoes, bacon, caramelized onions, roasted peppers, or kimchi. Consider sauces such as tomato jam, Sriracha mayo, or a savory “secret sauce.”
Pizzas
Egg Type: Baked as a topping
Description: Before finishing baking your pizza, crack a few room-temperature eggs on top, season with pepper, and continue baking until the eggs reach your desired doneness. This works well with toppings like prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, arugula, spinach, mushrooms, sweet peppers, and herbs.
Sandwiches
Egg Type: Fried
Description: Enhance sandwiches like the French croque monsieur by adding a fried egg, transforming it into a croque madame. Similarly, add an egg to a BLT to create a BLTE. Eggs pair well with cheese and avocado in sandwiches.
Avocado Toast
Egg Type: Poached or Fried
Description: Top your avocado toast with a poached or fried egg for added protein and flavor. This combination offers a creamy and crunchy texture that’s both quick and healthy.
Fries
Egg Type: Fried
Description: Add a fried egg to loaded fries, such as those topped with cheese curds and gravy (poutine) or chili and cheddar cheese. The egg enhances the dish’s richness.
Salads
Egg Type: Hard-boiled or Poached
Description: Incorporate chopped hard-boiled eggs into salads like Cobb or chef’s salad. Alternatively, top a frisée salad with a poached egg and lardons for a classic combination.
Nachos
Egg Type: Fried (sunny-side up)
Description: Elevate your nachos by adding fried eggs before loading them with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and cilantro. This addition brings a new dimension to the dish.
Rice Bowls
Egg Type: Fried (sunny-side up)
Description: Top savory rice bowls with a fried egg, allowing the runny yolk to mix with the other ingredients. This works well with various toppings, including beans, veggies, cheese, sauces, and meats.
Ramen
Egg Type: Soft-boiled or Poached
Description: Enhance your ramen by adding a soft-boiled egg sliced in half or poaching an egg directly in the broth. This addition provides extra protein and richness to the noodle soup.
Prep Time
Varies by dish, typically around 5 to 15 minutes depending on preparation methods.
Cook Time
Varies from 5 to 20 minutes depending on the specific dish and cooking techniques.
Total Time
Prep time plus cook time, generally ranging from 10 to 35 minutes.
Yield
Yields will vary based on the specific dish but typically serves 1 to 4 people depending on the recipe utilized.
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Burgers
1. Cook your burger patty to your desired level of doneness.
2. In a separate pan, fry an egg sunny-side up or over-easy.
3. Assemble your burger on a bun, adding your favorite toppings such as gouda cheese, tomatoes, bacon, caramelized onions, roasted peppers, or kimchi.
4. Top the burger with the fried egg.
5. Finish with sauces like tomato jam, Sriracha mayo, or a savory “secret sauce.”
Pizzas
1. Prepare your pizza with desired toppings.
2. Before the pizza finishes baking, crack a few room-temperature eggs on top.
3. Season the eggs with pepper.
4. Continue baking until the eggs reach your desired doneness.
Sandwiches
1. Prepare your sandwich, like a French croque monsieur or a BLT.
2. Fry an egg sunny-side up.
3. Add the fried egg to your sandwich to transform it into a croque madame or a BLTE.
4. Consider adding cheese and avocado for a richer flavor.
Avocado Toast
1. Prepare your avocado toast as you like.
2. Cook a poached or fried egg.
3. Place the egg on top of the avocado toast.
4. Enjoy the creamy and crunchy texture combination.
Fries
1. Cook your fries until crispy.
2. Prepare loaded fries with toppings like cheese curds and gravy or chili and cheddar cheese.
3. Fry an egg sunny-side up.
4. Place the fried egg on top of the loaded fries before serving.
Salads
1. Prepare your salad base, such as a Cobb or chef’s salad.
2. Hard-boil eggs and chop them, or poach an egg.
3. Add the chopped hard-boiled eggs to your salad or place the poached egg on top of the frisée salad with lardons.
Nachos
1. Prepare a platter of nachos with your favorite toppings.
2. Fry an egg sunny-side up.
3. Place the fried egg on top of the nachos before adding guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and cilantro.
Rice Bowls
1. Cook your rice and prepare toppings such as beans, veggies, cheese, sauces, and meats.
2. Fry an egg sunny-side up.
3. Top your rice bowl with the fried egg, allowing the runny yolk to mix with the other ingredients.
Ramen
1. Prepare your ramen according to package directions.
2. Soft-boil an egg and slice it in half or poach an egg directly in the broth.
3. Add the egg to your ramen for extra protein and richness.
Notes
General Egg Cooking Tips
– Ensure the eggs are fresh for the best flavor and texture.
– Adjust cooking times to achieve your preferred doneness, especially with fried or poached eggs.
Pairing Suggestions
– Explore different combinations of toppings and sauces to enhance each dish.
– Consider the balance of flavors and textures when adding eggs to your meals.
Health Considerations
– Eggs are a good source of protein and can help make meals more filling.
– Consider dietary restrictions and preferences when incorporating eggs into different dishes.
Cook techniques
Burgers
Top your burger with a fried egg (sunny-side up or over-easy) for added richness. Pair with toppings like gouda cheese, tomatoes, bacon, caramelized onions, roasted peppers, or kimchi, and use sauces such as tomato jam, Sriracha mayo, or a savory “secret sauce.”
Pizzas
Crack a few room-temperature eggs on top of your pizza before finishing the bake. Season with pepper and continue baking until the eggs have reached the desired doneness. This technique pairs excellently with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, arugula, spinach, mushrooms, sweet peppers, and various herbs.
Sandwiches
Elevate your sandwiches like the croque monsieur by adding a fried egg, creating a croque madame. A fried egg can also transform a BLT into a BLTE. Eggs complement cheese and avocado beautifully in sandwiches.
Avocado Toast
Enhance your avocado toast with a poached or fried egg for added protein and flavor, providing a delicious blend of creamy and crunchy textures that is both quick and healthy.
Fries
Add a fried egg on top of loaded fries, such as poutine (topped with cheese curds and gravy) or chili and cheddar cheese, to enrich the dish and elevate its flavors.
Salads
Incorporate chopped hard-boiled eggs into salads like Cobb or chef’s salad. Alternatively, top a frisée salad with a poached egg and lardons for a classic combination.
Nachos
Enhance your nachos by placing a fried egg on top before loading with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and cilantro, bringing a new dimension to this favorite.
Rice Bowls
Top savory rice bowls with a fried egg, allowing the runny yolk to blend with the other ingredients. This technique works well with various toppings like beans, veggies, cheese, sauces, and meats.
Ramen
Add a soft-boiled egg sliced in half, or poach an egg directly in the broth to enhance your ramen, providing extra protein and richness to the soup.
FAQ
What types of eggs can you use on burgers?
Fried eggs, either sunny-side up or over-easy, are the best choices to top burgers.
How do you bake an egg on a pizza?
Crack room-temperature eggs on the pizza before finishing its baking, seasoning the eggs with pepper.
What is a croque madame?
A croque madame is a croque monsieur sandwich topped with a fried egg.
What types of eggs work best with avocado toast?
Poached or fried eggs work well to enhance avocado toast.
Can you add eggs to any type of fries?
Yes, adding fried eggs enhances the richness of various loaded fries.
What salads are good for including hard-boiled eggs?
Salads like Cobb and chef’s salad are great for incorporating chopped hard-boiled eggs.
How can you make nachos more filling?
Adding a fried egg before loading them with toppings like guacamole and sour cream makes nachos more filling.
What ingredients pair well with a fried egg on rice bowls?
Fried eggs on rice bowls work well with beans, veggies, cheese, sauces, and different meats.
How do you add an egg to ramen?
You can add a soft-boiled egg sliced in half or poach an egg directly in the ramen broth.
Conclusion
Adding an egg to a variety of dishes not only enhances their flavor but also contributes to a satisfying and richer texture. From burgers to salads, the humble egg can elevate a meal in numerous ways, providing both protein and delightful taste. Experimenting with different types of eggs allows for creativity in the kitchen, making everyday meals more exciting.
Burgers
Top your burger with a fried egg, complemented by gouda cheese, tomatoes, bacon, or a spicy sauce.
Pizzas
Crack a few eggs on your pizza before baking for added richness, pairing well with prosciutto and fresh herbs.
Sandwiches
Transform classic sandwiches by adding a fried egg, such as in a croque madame or BLTE.
Avocado Toast
Enhance your avocado toast with a poached or fried egg for a quick, nutritious meal.
Fries
Add a fried egg to loaded fries, incorporating toppings like cheese curds and gravy for extra indulgence.
Salads
Incorporate hard-boiled eggs into salads like Cobb, or top a frisée salad with a poached egg.
Nachos
Elevate your nachos with fried eggs, along with guacamole and salsa for a unique twist.
Rice Bowls
Top savory rice bowls with a fried egg, allowing the yolk to enrich the entire dish.
Ramen
Enhance ramen by adding a soft-boiled egg, adding extra protein and creaminess to the broth.